Pak wants 'result-oriented' dialogue process: Chaudhry

Islamabad: Pakistan has highlighted the need for a structured, "result-oriented" comprehensive dialogue process with India for resolving outstanding issues, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry said on Thursday.

Chaudhry, who met his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar in New Delhi on the sidelines of the Heart of Asia Conference on Wednesday, said in a statement that during the meeting the Pakistani side had conveyed Islamabad's commitment to resolve all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir.

"I emphasied that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remained the core issue and it was vital to find a just solution to this long standing issue, as per the UN Security Council resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people," he said.

"In line with our Prime Minister's vision of a peaceful neighborhood, I underscored the need for a structured, sustained and result-oriented comprehensive dialogue process between the two countries," he said in the statement.

However, the uninterruptible dialogue process would require commitment from both sides, he said. "I affirmed to my Indian counterpart that Pakistan believes that a sustained and structured engagement is imperative for resolving the outstanding issues," he added.

Pakistan will welcome the start of the peace dialogue whenever India indicated that it was ready for it, he said.

The sticky issues including probe into Pathankot terror attack, 26/11 trial and Samjhauta Express blast investigations figured during the meeting between Chaudhry and Jaishankar.

"I conveyed to the Indian side Pakistan's deep concern on the illegal entry into Pakistan by a RAW officer and his involvement in subversive activities in Karachi and Balochistan," he said, referring to the arrest of Kulbushan Yadav. "Such acts undermine efforts to normalise relations between the two countries," he added.

During the meeting, Indian side had raised the issue of "abduction" of former Naval officer Jadhav, saying he has been taken to Pakistan, and sought immediate consular access.

"I also reiterated Pakistan's call for fair investigation and trial of the Samjhauta Express terrorist attack," he said, adding that Pakistani side expressed its concern over recent news items regarding efforts being made to exonerate some of the individuals who were responsible for the attack.

On the Pathankot attack, Chaudhry said, "I informed him (Jaishankar) that the JIT had visited India from March 27 to April 1. On the basis of information received from the Indian side, the JIT is currently engaged in further investigations."

He also noted that both sides agreed that people-to-people contact should remain intact. He said there was a consensus to continue working on humanitarian issues, including the issue of release of all fishermen as well as prisoners who have completed their sentences.